AUBURN, Ala. – Freshman Madison Parduhn and sophomore Ava Stearns of the No. 1 Auburn equestrian team earned monthly recognition from the Southeastern Conference as each were named SEC Rider of the Month for March in their respective event, the league announced Wednesday.
Parduhn picked up the first monthly honor of her career and was recognized for her performance in Horsemanship this month. The Norman, Okla., product went 1-0-0 in March to improve to 2-1-0 overall in the event.
Parduhn helped the Tigers sweep No. 8 South Carolina (3/13) in Horsemanship in the regular season finale. She bested her opponent, 76-74.5, and won MOP honors at the conclusion of the meet. The MOP award was the first of her career.
Stearns, of Chilmark, Mass., added the SEC honor to her NCEA Fences Rider of the Month award for March. She put together a 3-0-0 record to close out the regular season and improved to 6-1-0 overall in Fences.
She reached a season-best 89 on two occasions, winning one MOP. She averaged an 87.7 and had a winning margin of 8.3 points over the three meets.
Stearns helped Auburn sweep Sweet Briar (3/6) in Fences to kick off the month, besting her opponent with an 89 to win MOP. She followed with a 13-point win over her Lynchburg opponent on the same day.
Stearns capped the regular season with another 89 and win, helping the Tigers go 4-1 over SEC opponent South Carolina (3/13).
No. 1 Auburn kicks off postseason action this weekend, traveling to Bishop, Ga., for the 2021 SEC Championship. The Tigers will face fourth-seeded South Carolina Friday, March 26, at 1:30 p.m. CT.